The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-06-02


pressed in few words, as are the sixth, seventh
and eighth. We cannot determine the por-
tions on each table of stone. We would think
the 10 somewhat evenly divided, the stones
being uniform in size. and the letters OF the
inscriptions Of about the same dimensions on
both tablets. Then, assuming that the DecalOg
as craven on stones was stated in brief form, 1t
has been thought the stones were inscribed as
follows:
FIRST TABLE.
/. Thou shalt have no other God before me.
2. Thou shalt not make 10 thee any craven
image
5. Thou shalt not take the name of Jehovah
thy God in vain.
l. Thou shalt remember the Sabbath Day, to
keep it holy.
8. Thou shalt honor thy father and thy
mother.
SECOND TApLE.
G. Thou shalt not kill.
z. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8. Thou shalt not steal.
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness.
10. Thou shalt not eovet
When these were put into the scrolls they
were filled out with particulars. making nearly
all Of them longer. This would help account
for differences in Exodus and Deuteronomy in
wording the Commandments. But, assuming
the two tables Of stone had the 10 Command
ments in full, it would be more natural to sup
pose those relating TO our duties to God were
on one stone and those expressing our duties
TO mankind on another. By this plan the first
four Commandments would be on one stone,
and the last six on the other. When inscribed
now on chancels in churches, they are usually
put in this form. In books of study ii used 10
be quite customary to print the Commandments
in the short form, as aiding in mcmorizing 1t
is held the PiymeT IA English, printed in about
400, was the first book TO print the Decalog in
full, as we now usually learn it.
The Decalog is also given, though somewhat
modified, in Deuteronomy, .: l-2l.
The Roman Catholics, and also the Lutherans,
in imitation, unite the first two Command
mcnts and separate the last one into two, hav-
ing 10 Commandments in both cases. This
plan changes the number OF each Command
ment; C. O. the Commandment known gener-
ally among PrOtestants as the sixth, is by Ro-
man Catholics and Lutherans called the fifth.
Similarly all the rest ara changed.
Some have thought the first three Command
ments are the only ones which express our
duties 10 God, the fourth Commandment being
rather in the interest OF men than of God.
Ordinarily. however, we divide the Command
ments into two psrts-the first four Us relating
to our obligations to God, and the last six as
setting forth our duties TO each. Or we may
divide thus: the first four relate 10 God, the
fifth to home, and the last five to society. Evil
IDENTIFY the fifth is filial, paternal, fraternal,
conjugal. domestic. God is first, home is sec
ond, and community is third in our considera-
tiOn.
The Episcopal Church recites the 10 Com
mandmeuts at every morning service.
Eight OF the Commandments are negative and
| two affirmative.
The circumstances under which the 10 Com
mandments were issued give them great i'm
| pressiveness Thunders were heard. Light
/ nings flashed. Trumpets sounded. The clouds
| thickcned. The very mountain shook. Great
preparations had been made by the people in
| expectation of the wonderful, august, dreadful
event. Supernatural fires cleaned. The earth
trembled. Heb, II: 26l Angels waited round
\ i'm solemn stiffness aud awe, ready at Gods
beck TO serve as aids in preparing and giving
4 the Law. The exact share of their ministra-
ions is not stated. (Acts, 4 So; Gal, 3: 10
| Heb, 90; Ps., 65: IL Deu., 80: 2.)
The principles enforced by the Decalog are
eternal truths, and hence the code is for all
4 times and peoples. Ii is our duty 10 study the
Commandments and to obey them The spisit
in which they are TO be observed is set forth
by our Savior in his Sermon on the Mount
| Mt, 5:2l-iS.) He shows that hatred is
equivalent TO murder u John. 3 l5); that an
evil thought is practically as bad as a criminal
act; that the intention or wish to do wrong
though never carried into deed, IS really evil
dence of guilt in fact. He shows that love i:
the iulfllment of all the Commandments, from
the fact if one love another he will not injuIt
him in any way. tRo., l3: $40; st. John, II
"a; ST. Matt, %: 1897 Love makes ODE
dience an easy yoke. Says Solomon: "Feal
God, and keep his Commandments; for this i,
the whole duty Of man" Zee, II :I3.) Then
too the Commandments are an entirety
| You break one Commandment, you practically
| violate all. They are 10 tests of our obedience
They are all from the same Being. If God tel
you you can offend him in 10 different ways
you will offend him if guilty of either one o
| the 10.
We are taught by the first four Command
ments-
/. To recognize no other God. Monotheisn
VS.. polytheism.
.. To make no God of our own. Oppose
idOlatry.
3. To worship God. Enforccs Sunday.
4. To revere God. Against vulgar swearing
The Catechism OF the Episcopal Church ha
these questions and answers:
Question. What dOst thou chiefly learn by thes
| commandments:
Answer | learn two things; my duty toward
God, and my duty towards my n-ighbOr.
Question. What j. thy duty towards God?
| Answer My duty towards God i To believe II
him. u fear him, and o love him with all my hear,
with all my mind, with all my soul and with al
my strength; To worship him. 10 give him thanks
To put my whole trust in him, 10 call upon him. 4
honor his holy name and his Word, and To sery
him truly ali the days Of my life.